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So Taguchi was drafted by the Orix Blue Wave in the first round of the 1992 draft. Taguchi quickly soared reaching Orix in 1992, batting .268 with 1 HR and 46 RBI in 47 games. Though, his playing time decreased to 31 games in 1993 and he batted only .266 (23-90) with 0 HR's and 5 RBI.

In 1994, Taguchi's career began to take full force, he bat .307 with 6 HR's and 43 RBI in 108 games. That next year in 1995, even though Taguchi struggled offense wise batting .246/.308/.358 with 9 HR's and 61 RBI he was named to his first All Star team and won his first Gold Glove. Taguchi went onto improve in 1996, batting .279/.321/.371 with 7 HR's and 44 RBI, and helped Orix win the Nippon Series and won his only Best Nine award. Taguchi blossomed in 1997, having his career year, batting .294/.351/.416 with 10 HR's and 56 RBI. He fell to .272/.338/.386 with 9 HR's and 41 RBI in 1998. His numbers continued to slump in 1999 to .269/.308/.365 with 9 HR's and 56 RBI. Taguchi had a rebound in 2000 with a .279/.353/.389 and 8 HR's and 49 RBI and was also named to the 2000 Japanese Olympic Team. In his final season he batted .280/.343/.406 with 8 HR's and 42 RBI.

Following the 2001 season, Taguchi announced he would go the majors after qualifying for free agency. On January 9, 2002, Taguchi signed a three year contract with the St. Louis Cardinals. His customary #6 was retired by the Cardinals, as was his second choice #9, so he decided to wear #99. Taguchi spent most of the 2002 season playing with AANew Haven Ravens batting .308/.375/.430 with 1 HR and 15 RBI and batting .247/.286/.352 with 5 HR's and 32 RBI with the AAAMemphis Redbirds. Though, he earned a callup to the Cardinals, batting .400(6-15) with 0 HR and 2 RBI. Again in 2003, Taguchi spent most of the season with Memphis, batting .256/.318/.326 with 2 HR's and 24 RBI. This time, Taguchi earned more time with the Cardinals batting .259(14-54) with 3 HR's and 13 RBI. Taguchi would go on to stick as a useful fourth outfielder on the Cardinals team in 2004 that went to the World Series, batting .291 with 3 HR's and 25 RBI in 109 games. He also went 1-4(.250) with 0 HR's and a RBI in the World Series against the Boston Red Sox. The 2005 season saw Taguchi blossom as he saw record time, batting .288/.322/.412 with 8 HR's and 53 RBI in 143 games and 396 at bats.